Author's Note: So obviously, this is way different than season two, because I can't exactly jump to where we are now. I'm sorry this took so long, but I'm finally getting back to this. Leave a review if you'd like me to continue :)

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Falling Skies, just Audria. (Now doesn't that sound creepy? I own Audria...:/)

"Audria? Can you hear me?" It was Anne's voice, and I could hardly hear her through the ringing in my ears. "Audria?"

I moved to sit up, but as soon as I lifted my head, a wave of nausea rolled over me. Something bad happened- I knew that much was true. But I couldn't quite remember what. It was something dangerous...something immediate. Or maybe not. My head was so foggy.

"Might not want to move so quickly," Anne said, as her hands grasped my shoulders, pulling me into a sitting position. "How are you feeling?"

I opened my mouth to explain the nausea and the odd feeling of dread I had, but nothing came out. It was like the words were stuck in my throat. So I just shook my head, repeatedly, hoping she got the idea.

"It's okay. It might take a second. You hit your head pretty badly after you fainted."

Fainted? That word brought back some memories, far at the back of my mind...Hal? He came back to the house, I could remember that much. And...

His face. His expression. The horror and the uncontrolled sadness. I could remember that all too well. And the reason...

Was that Ben was going to die. Ben. Going to die. The words rang through the inside of my mind, like a song overplayed on the radio. And that was why I had...

I was on my feet in seconds, ignoring the pounding at the back of my head when I jumped up, and running wildly up the stairs. I could hear Anne calling after me, but I kept running. I needed to find him. I needed to see his face. How long would I have left? Or was he already gone? How soon did they mean this to happen?

Could we hide him?

Could Anne remove the spikes?

How deep was their hold on him?

These questions, and more, made up of a string of nonsense in my head as they all ran together. One thing was clear, though. I needed to find Ben immediately.

I crashed through the first bedroom door, frantically looking around. I could hear Anne's footsteps behind me, as she ran up the stairs after me. Seeing nothing, I continued on down the hall, checking each room as I went.

I got to the last bedroom, but took a deep breath before peering in. No one. Not a single person. Where was everyone? Why were they not milling around the house like usual? Where were Ben and Hall, more importantly?

I felt a hand on my shoulder, gently pressing down. "Audria," it was Anne, her voice soft, and gentle. "Audria. Ben's...Ben's gone."

"What?" I spat out, whipping around to face her.

"He ran. As soon as Hal came back, and you fell, he ran out the door. Everyone's looking for him. But it's been hours. We don't know where he is."

"What?" I repeated, though I heard her clearly the first time. It couldn't be true. Why would he do that? Why would he leave me? He had just told me he never would. And I believed him.

"Ben is gone," Anne repeated.